Understanding Morphine Withdrawal

image depicting morphine withdrawal

Updated July 8, 2024

Authored By:

Joe Gilmore

Edited By

Amy Leifeste

Medically Reviewed By

Javier Rodriguez-Winter

Authored By:

Joe Gilmore

Edited By

Amy Leifeste

Medically Reviewed By

Javier Rodriguez-Winter

image depicting morphine withdrawal

Morphine withdrawal can be an uncomfortable experience, with symptoms ranging from mild to moderate flu-like symptoms lasting about one week. However, getting the right medical help can make detox much easier.

This guide explains what to expect during withdrawal from morphine and shows you how to get effective treatment.

What Is Morphine?

Morphine is a powerful medication that helps relieve strong pain. It is part of a group of drugs called opiates, which are naturally occurring opioids. Doctors use morphine when other pain medications don’t work well enough or if the pain is too severe for different treatments.

Morphine affects the CNS (central nervous system), which includes the brain and spinal cord. This helps to reduce the feeling of pain.

Morphine comes in different forms, including extended-release capsules and tablets. These are used for long-term pain management and should not be used for short-term pain, like after surgery. It is not for mild or infrequent pain. Morphine is meant for serious, ongoing pain that needs strong, daily treatment.

How Do People Get Addicted to Morphine?

When people use morphine for a long time, it can become habit-forming. This means they might start to rely on it, mentally and physically.

Mental dependence, or addiction, happens when a person feels like they need morphine to feel good or normal. Physical dependence means their body gets used to having morphine and might feel sick if they stop taking it suddenly. This sickness is called withdrawal.

People who need morphine for serious pain should not be afraid of addiction if they use it as their doctor says. Addiction is less likely when morphine is used correctly for pain. If they need to stop taking morphine, doctors can help them do it slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms. This way, they can stop the medication safely.

image depicting people talking about how long does morphine withdrawal last

What Are the Morphine Withdrawal Symptoms?

When someone who has been using morphine for a long time stops taking it, their body and brain need to adjust. This adjustment can cause withdrawal symptoms because their body has gotten used to having morphine.

Morphine withdrawal symptoms can be different for each person. It depends on how much and how long they have been using morphine, how they used it, their genes, and if they have other health issues. Usually, withdrawal symptoms start 6 to 8 hours after the last use.

Early withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Sweating
  • Tearing up
  • Runny nose
  • Yawning

Later withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Chills
  • Goosebumps
  • Higher blood pressure
  • Fast heart rate
  • Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Feeling restless and irritable
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Muscle pain
  • Stomach pain
  • Sneezing
  • Shaking

After about 72 hours, the symptoms might start to get better as the morphine leaves the body.

Anyone going through morphine withdrawal should be under medical supervision if possible. If not and the symptoms don’t improve after 72 hours, see a doctor.

How Long Does Morphine Withdrawal Last?

The length of morphine withdrawal can be different for each person. It usually starts about 6 hours after the last use. The physical symptoms, which feel like the flu, often last 3 to 5 days. However, some psychological symptoms, known as PAWS (post-acute withdrawal syndrome), can last much longer. These include feelings of anxiety, depression, irritability, mood swings, low energy, poor concentration, and trouble sleeping.

Morphine withdrawal usually happens as follows:

  • 6 to 12 hours: First symptoms like mood swings, anxiety, and strong cravings for morphine begin.
  • 12 to 48 hours: Physical symptoms like sweating, chills, muscle aches, runny nose, fever, trouble sleeping, nausea, and vomiting.
  • Days 3 to 10: Symptoms normally peak on the fourth day. People may feel muscle aches, ongoing anxiety, and cravings for the drug.
  • 1 to 3 months: Most physical symptoms go away, but symptoms like irritability, anxiety, and depression can last for several months.

What Happens If You Stay Addicted to Morphine?

If someone stays addicted to morphine, it can cause many problems. Here are some things that might happen:

  • Health problems: Morphine addiction can damage your body. It can hurt your liver, kidneys, and lungs. It can also make it hard to think clearly and remember things.
  • Mental health issues: Being addicted to morphine can make you feel sad, anxious, or angry. It can also lead to problems like depression and trouble sleeping.
  • Relationships: Addiction can make it hard to keep good relationships with family and friends. You might argue more or lose touch with people who care about you.
  • Money troubles: Buying morphine can be expensive. You might spend all your money on the drug and have nothing left for other important things.
  • Legal problems: Using morphine without a prescription is against the law. You could get into trouble with the police or even go to jail.

Get help if you or someone you know is addicted to morphine. Doctors and counselors can help you quit and get your life back on track.

 

image depicting gratitude lodge morphine withdrawal treatment

Get Morphine Addiction Support & Care at Gratitude Lodge

If you need help dealing with addiction to morphine, we can help you at Gratitude Lodge. We treat morphine addiction and mental health issues at our luxury rehab centers in Long Beach and Newport Beach, CA.

Begin your recovery with our medical detox program. Tackle morphine withdrawal with access to medications and 24/7 care then move into ongoing inpatient treatment.

Residential rehab at Gratitude Lodge offers intensive treatment in a trigger-free setting. All opioid addictions are different, so all our treatment programs provide tailored treatments, such as:

Start your recovery journey today by calling our recovery specialists at 844-576-0144.

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Jenni Bussi

Jenni Busse MS, LPCC

Jenni Busse MS, LPSS is the Clinical Director at Gratitude Lodge. Jenni oversees the clinical program and the clinical team at Gratitude Lodge as a whole. Jenni has worked in treatment for almost 14 years. Her background as a licensed therapist and her passion for helping others intersected with addiction recovery when she started working primarily in detox residential treatment.
Joe Gilmore

Joseph Gilmore

Joseph Gilmore has been working in the addiction industry for half a decade and has been writing about addiction and substance abuse treatment during that time. He has experience working for facilities all across the country. Connect with Joe on LinkedIn.

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